New York Giants: Predicting Stat Leaders in Every Receiving Category for 2012

Training camp is finally under way, and it is time to predict which Giants will lead which receiving categories this year. 

There is no denying that the New York Giants have one of the National Football League's best wide receiving corps, and the group will look to duplicate the outstanding numbers that they contributed last year.

It will not be easy to replicate the record-breaking numbers that were put up last season, but something tells me that this year will be even better. 

Here are my predictions. 

Receptions

Victor Cruz

2011 Totals: 82 receptions

2012 Prediction: 89 receptions

Teams are going to have to choose which Giants' receiver they want to take away during the course of a game, and I still believe that receiver is Hakeem Nicks. 

Cruz is certainly going to garner more attention after the remarkable season he put up in 2011, but defenses will still want to see if his magical season was just a one-year wonder. I believe that Cruz is just getting started in the NFL, which means that I am expecting another monster season. 

He will lead the Giants in receptions for the second straight season because of his ability to line up anywhere on the field.

Yards, Touchdowns, & Yards Per Catch

Hakeem Nicks 2011 Totals: 1,192 yards, seven touchdowns, & 15.7 yards per catch.  

2012 Prediction: 1,345 yards and nine touchdowns, & 16.8 yards per catch.

I would not be surprised if Hakeem Nicks got off to a little bit of a slow start this season because of his foot injury, but I still expect him to be among the league leaders in all major categories by season's end.

The receiver is one of the NFL's best, and he will finally get the respect that he deserves after another quality 2012 season.